Late Budget, Public Safety Fights and a Political Shakeup Define New York Politics in 2025

A late, record-breaking state budget, emotional battles over medical aid in dying and a historic New York City mayoral election defined a turbulent year in New York politics.

From the New York Public News Network, WMHT’s Shantel Destra takes a closer look at the headlines that shaped 2025 and is joined by POLITICO’s Katelyn Cordero, Bloomberg’s Raga Justin, and Jimmy Vielkind of WNYC, Gothamist, and the New York Public News Network.

Image: Former New York State Assemblymember Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Mayor-elect inside the Capitol Building in Albany on May 8, 2025. ( Patrick Dodson / New York Public News Network )